Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2019 BMW 220i SE Auto?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2019 BMW 220i SE Auto?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2019 BMW 220i SE Auto?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2019 BMW 220i SE Auto reliable?

Based on MOT data from 335 vehicles, the 2019 BMW 220i SE Auto has a first-time MOT pass rate of 92.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2019 BMW 220i SE Auto?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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BMW 220i SE Auto (2019)

335 real MOT outcomes analysed • 92.9% first-time pass rate

2019 BMW 220i SE Auto

CarHunch analysed 335 real MOT records for the 2019 BMW 220i SE Auto. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

Moderate sample. 335 vehicles on record. Figures are indicative — the specific vehicle's history matters more than these averages.

The 2019 BMW 220i SE Auto passes its MOT first time in 89.5% of cases, a solid 9.5 percentage points above the UK average of 80%, suggesting these cars are well-maintained and mechanically sound. The dangerous defect rate of 9.2% is reassuringly low, so safety concerns aren't a red flag for this cohort.

At a median mileage of 21,642 miles, these five-year-old cars are running relatively light for their age, which supports the strong pass rate. The average vehicle racks up just 0.38 failures and 2.8 advisories per test, indicating minor wear rather than structural problems—but before you buy, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the electrics and suspension, as these are where the advisories typically cluster on this generation.

The 2019 BMW 220i SE Auto passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (92.9% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

⚠️ About 1 in 12 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

92.9%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

9.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.38

Over 4.4 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

22k

Middle half: 14k–30k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 92.9% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 2.8 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 335 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 335 BMW 220i SE Auto cars.

Before you buy a 2019 BMW 220i SE Auto

Based on MOT data from 335 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 9.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	330	92.8%	0.38

Colour Breakdown

Based on 555 BMW 220i SE Auto vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 20.5%

114

Grey 20.5%

114

White 13.2%

Orange 12.1%

Black 11.4%

Red 9%

Silver 6.7%

Beige 5.6%

Brown 1.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2019 BMW 220i SE Auto vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

21,642

typical

14,483

low mileage

30,431

high mileage

Half of all 2019 BMW 220i SE Auto vehicles fall between 14,483 and 30,431 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 14,483 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 14,483–30,431 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2019 BMW 220i SE Autos sit.

⚠ Over 41,081 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2019 BMW 220i SE Auto — Still on the Road

Almost all 2019 BMW 220i SE Autos are still on the road.

Strong survival — 317 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.

MOT History Averages

4.4

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.38

Avg failures per vehicle

2.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — BMW 220i SE Auto: All 220i SE Auto years → Which year to buy? →

2018

Or browse all models: BMW →

Compare with another model

See how the 2019 BMW 220i SE Auto stacks up against a rival.

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